Kstate

Even Opponents Are Poking Fun At Coleman Hawkins' Slow Start For K-State

Shandel Richardson|
Oct 23, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas State Wildcats guard Coleman Hawkins (33) and mascot Willie the Wildcat pose during the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Media Day at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Oct 23, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas State Wildcats guard Coleman Hawkins (33) and mascot Willie the Wildcat pose during the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Media Day at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

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Kansas State Wildcats

Kansas State forward Coleman Hawkins arrived to much fanfare during the offseason.

After transferring from Illinois, his profile received a boost when it was reported he received an NIL deal worth at least $1 million, Hawkins has struggled this season.

It has led to criticism. Even the Mississippi Valley State social media account took aim at Hawkins. The Delta Devils were K-State's opponent Tuesday.

The account posted on X: "They [paid] how much for this guy? Coleman Hawkins tonight: 0/6 FG, 0/1 3PT

Hawkins finished with two points, 13 rebounds and four assists. He is averaging 6.8 points, eight rebounds and four assists, shooting 24 percent from the field.


“If I’m being honest, I’m a little too hard on myself, but personally I would give myself an F,” Hawkins said after the game . “I know some of the fans that were booing would probably give me an F, too. But it will only get better from here as long as everyone stays patient. I wouldn’t panic.”

Hawkins withdrew from the NBA draft, where many projected him as a second-round pick at best, to return for another season of college. Last year he helped lead Illinois to the Elite Eight, losing to eventual champion UConn.

Still, it's unfair to criticize Hawkins this early into his new surroundings.

"I'm putting to much pressure on myself to perform at a high level," Hawkins said. "But I'm not too worried. I know I will pick things up." 


Shandel Richardson is the publisher of Kansas State Wildcats On SI. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com

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Shandel Richardson
SHANDEL RICHARDSON

Shandel has covered the NBA since 2010, with previous stops at The Athletic and South Florida Sun-Sentinel. He has covered six NBA Finals, one Super Bowl, the NCAA basketball tournament. He has also been a beat writer for the Miami Hurricanes and contributed on every major beat in South Florida since 2003, including the Miami Dolphins and Miami Marlins. He can also be read in the Sportsbook Review for gambling coverage from around the NBA. A native of Bloomington, Illinois, Shandel attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He's also worked for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Kansas City Star. TWITTER: @ShandelRich EMAIL: shandelrich@gmail.com You can subscribe to our YouTube channel here Follow all of our Miami Heat coverage on Facebook here